Throwing toy



May 26, 1970 H. B. GROW THROWING TOY Filed Jan. 2, 1968 Amer/.4 6;,vpmr/Ms Juan/6 I NVENTOR. flmuaw GRovv United States Patent 3,514,109 THROWING TOY Harlow B. Grow, 16530 Chattanooga Place, Pacific Palisades, Calif. 90272 Filed Jan. 2, 1968, Ser. N0. 694,923 lint. Cl. A6311 33/20, 43/02, 65/00 U.S. Cl. 273ll06 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spherical relatively heavy ball is freely slidable on a length of flexible cord having a relatively light chute including a handle at each of its ends. The chutes conform in configuration to that of the spherical ball so that the ball is nestable in either of the chutes when thrown by one person to another.

A usual ball of spherical configuration and of normal density has what can be said to be a standard trajectory substantially unaffected by environmental forces. That is, air density and windage has little effect on the resulting trajectory and in practice there can be very little variation in the path followed by an ordinary ball. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a device in the form of a throwing toy that has a decided variance from the usual standard trajectory and which consequently requires the development of skill in both throwing and catching of the same, and all to the end of developing physical abilities through skillful management and/or manipulation wherein the persons throwing and catching must invariably anticipate the variations in trajectory that are inherent in the device. As a result, games and contests follow with the amusement features which will become apparent from consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings disclosing the device.

An object of this invention is to provide means controlling a ball or the like so that its terminal trajectory more closely approaches a vertical descent path, when compared with normal ballistics, and which can be anticipated by the thrower and catcher. In practice, the ball and means associated therewith can be designed so as to descend in various dispositions, for example a disposition nearer to the horizontal.

Another object of this invention is to provide means controlling a ball or the like so that its terminal trajectory speed is substantially reduced, as compared with a normal free falling object, and which is a protection to the catcher so that injury to him is minimized and unlikely.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a throwing toy of the character referred to wherein a ball or like object is part of an assembly having a handle for receptive gripping by the person manipulating the toy.

It is another object of this invention to provide a throwing toy of the character referred to wherein a ball or the like is part of an assembly that precedes a trajectory controlling means therefor, and wherein the mass as it is related to said trajectory controlling means is inherently reversible through the action of centrifugal forces, when the toy is caught by a person and reactivated for subsequent flight.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the throwing toy assembly, as it appears when inactive.

FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration of the inertia generating swing and subsequent trajectory (typical) and turning of the throwing toy.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view showing the construction involved.

The throwing toy as it is shown in the drawings is an assembly of parts which involves, generally, a mass A, a lanyard B, a pair of trajectory control means C and one at each end of the lanyard, and a pair of grips D and one projecting from the means C at each end of the lanyard. The mass A is the high density part of the toy and has the function of storing inertial energy as required for operating the toy. The lanyard B has the function of operatively interconnecting the mass A alternately with either of the control means C. And the grips D function to render the assembly manipulatable, whereby the toy is manageable to be handled with the application of centrifugal forces in order to store up inertial energy in the means A; all of which is operative as will be later described.

The mass A is preferably a ball of substantial weight, for example a relatively high density body of rubber or the like. It is to be understood that the material and shape of the mass A can vary as cirmumstances require; and for example, is preferably polyethylene plastic of suitable density molded into a spherical shape. Therefore, the mass A is round with a spherical outer wall 10, and in accordance with the invention it has a bore 11 extending diametrically therethrough. In practice, the bore 11 is round and slightly greater in diameter than that of the lanyard B which is passed therethrough.

The lanyard B is an elongate part that extends through the bore 11 of mass A, to project diametrically or radially therefrom in opposite directions. In accordance with the invention, the lanyard B is a flexible cord 12 that is movable through the bore 11, the bore length and diameter being related to the lanyard diameter so as to establish a restriction to rapid movement of the lanyard through the bore. That is, the lanyard B is in fact of lesser diameter than bore 11 so as to move free but slowly therethrough; while the fit therebetween is sufliciently close so as to prevent rapid movement, due to inherent imperfect alignment between the axes of the bore and lanyard respectively. In carrying out the invention, the lanyard cord 12 can be any suitably flexible element, such as for example, a rope of any of the many available fibers, or a monofilament of suitably flexible and/ or pliable plastic. In the preferred form of the invention, as it is illustrated in the drawings, the lanyard cord 12 is a length seven times the diameter of mass A.

The pair of trajectory control means C are the same or identical, as are the grips D, and a description of one will suflice for both in each instance. As shown, there is a trajectory control means C and a grip D fabricated as a unit at each end of the lanyard B and made of a soft and substantially rigid plastic material, preferably the same material as the mass A. Referring to the trajectory control means C, the function of a drogue chute is provided by a laterally extended part of minimized mass. That is, the means C at each end of the lanyard B, comprises a membrane disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the lanyard B when considered as a straight line under tension. In its preferred form, the means C is embodied in a semi-spherical membrane or wall complementary to the apposing side of the spherical mass A. Thus, the wall 15 is cupshaped so as to be fittedly received on the ball shaped mass, and conversely to stoppedly support the ball shaped mass at the end of the lanyard. Thus, the terminal end of the lanyard is fixed to the wall 15 at the center thereof, being knotted at 16 behind an opening 17 through the wall. The semior hemispherical wall 15 is of a large diameter, preferably about equal to the diameter of mass A.

Referring now to the grip D, the function thereof is to provide a handle 18 preceding the assembly when in flight. The grip or handle is sufficiently rigid so as to resist bending during normal use, as when in flight, and it can be formed of the same material as the wall 15 of means C, preferably integral therewith. In the drawings, I have shown the grip D as a tubular part into which the knot 16 is forcibly drawn to stop at wall 15. Taken together, the wall 15 and grip D are of minimized weight, considerably lighter than mass A.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the parts involved are few and fundamentally simple. However, the action of the toy is unique and at variance with the action of a normal ball or like projectile. With this invention the heavy mass A precedes one unit of the lighter mass CD which trails therefrom at the terminal end of lanyard B, while the other unit of means C and grip D is in stopped engagement on the forward side of the mass A. In other words, said other unit of means C and grip D act to pull the first mentioned one unit which functions as the drogue chute. As shown, the said other unit C-D juxtapositions itself on the mass A so that the handle 18 projects forwardly coincidental with the axis of the bore 11 and lanyard cord 12.

The throwing toy is used as follows: A thrower takes hold of either handle 18 whereupon the mass A will at least slide slowly into supported engagement with the unit C-D at the free end of the lanyard cord 12. The thrower then swings the mass centrifugally on the lanyard B, managing to control the plane of swing and releasing the grip D as the assembly reaches a skillfully anticipated position in the swing arc. The storage of inertial energy will depend upon the speed of swing and upon the application of centrifugal forces and/or equivalent movements. At the instant of release, free flight is initiated with the trailing means C functioning as a drogue chute. The leading mass A with its closely superimposed means C and projecting grip D is efficiently streamlined and affords the least amount of air drag and a maximum amount of inertial effect to be influenced by gravity. The trailing means C and grip D afford maximum drag and minimal inertia to be effected by gravity. As a consequence, the center of gravity of the assembly trails closely behind the mass A, as shown, and the mean trajectory can be conveniently plotted as related to movement of said center of gravity. Since the mass A is most aerodynamically eflicient and is most susceptible and/or responsive to the pull of gravity, its trajectory will tend to separate from and below the mean trajectory; and since the means C is of a design to create a high drag coeificient and is the least susceptible and/or responsive to the pull of gravity, its trajectory will tend to separate from and above the mean trajectory. These two-and opposite separations as caused by the alternate effects of aerodynamics and gravity results in a turning moment or couple which directs the assembly into a shortened and increasingly acute trajectory. As a result, the terminal trajectory becomes increasingly perpendicular, and all with a marked deceleration and/ or a restrainment on speed, rather than the normal acceleration due to gravity. Consequently, the assembly is easily engaged by the hand of the catcher, who then may manage the assembly as desired. For example, he may continue the said terminal trajectory into a throwing swing whereupon the mass A will slide along the lanyard B to the opposite end and other unit C-D to be supported thereby for the generation of inertial forces and then released as before, but in a reversed condition and opposite and newly determined direction.

It is to be understood that the mass A and cooperative means C and grip D can be fashioned in various manners so as to resemble different sorts of vehicles and the like, for example models of rockets, space platforms and satelites.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, 1 do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A toy to be reversible and alternately thrown from person to person and having a controlled trajectory with a dece erated descent, and including, a mass of substantial Weight having a bore therethrough, a lanyard of substantia ly greater length than the bore through said mass and freely movable therethrough to extend from the mass at either end of said bore, and a trajectory control means comprising a chute considerably lighter in weight than the weight of said mass at each opposite end of the lanyard and each comprising a membrane disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the lanyard, one chute having stopped engagement with the mass when pulled thereagainst by tension applied to the opposite end of the lanyard at the other chute, whereby said one chute precedes the mass in flight and said other chute trails and the membrane of the trailing chute aerodynamically applies a drag force to increasingly turn the trajectory of the mass toward a perpendicular and to reduce the speed of the mass.

2. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the mass is spherical so as to have the aerodynamic efficiency of a ball.

3. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the chute at the opposite end of the lanyard is faced so as to follow the mass with its normally disposed membrane opposed thereto.

4. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the membranes of the chutes are shaped to fit with the side of the mass which they oppose respectively, thereby conforming to the configuration of the mass when in stopped engagement therewith, so as not to adversely alter the aerodynamic efiiciency of said mass.

5. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein, the mass is spherical so as to have the areodynamic efliciency of a ball, and wherein the membranes of the two chutes are semi-spherical in shape to fit with the spherical exterior sides of the mass which they oppose respectively, thereby conforming to the spherical configuration of the mass when in stopped engagement therewith, so as to minimize alteration of the aerodynamic efliciency of said spherical mass.

6. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the bore through the mass fits closely around the lanyard, and wherein said lanyard is flexible and restrained against rapid movement through the said bore by means of the closeness of said fit therein.

7. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein a grip handle projects from each chute and from the side thereof faced away from the mass.

8. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein a grip handle projects from each chute and along the extended axis of the lanyard, so as to precede and follow the mass respectively.

5 6 9. The throwing toy as set forth in claim 1 and wherein References Cited the mass is spherical so as to have the aerodynamic efiici- UNITED STATES PATENTS ency of a ball, and wherein the membranes of the two chutes are semi-spherical in shape to fit with the spherical 2982549 5/1961 Llbow' exterior sides of the mass which they oppose respectively, 5 FOREIGN PATENTS thereby conforming to the spher1cal configuration of the mass when in stopped engagement therewith, so as to 1/1935 minimize alteration of the aerodynamic efficiency of said 795589 1/1936 France spherical mass, and wherein a grip handle projects from GEORGE L M ARLO Primary Examiner the convex side of each chute and along the extended 10 axis of the lanyard, so as to precede and follow the Us, C1, X,R

mass respectively. 46-86; 27358 

